Most of you probably know that I have a band, Sordid Affair, where I’m the vocalist and songwriter. I usually prefer to perform my own songs, as I find it hard to make other people’s songs “my own”. Doing covers in exactly the same way as the original is not for me, as the original is usually great and it will only sound like a bad copy if I try to replicate it. Well, in a week I’ll be doing a whole show with just cover songs (though in our own, special versions), which is slightly intimidating – but I think it might be lovely if we manage to pull it off. I’ve persuaded Boyfriend (bass) and one of the guitarists from Sordid Affair to join me, which is good since they know what I like and can figure out what I’m trying to say when I can’t find the proper words. I’m actually rather excited!
If anyone happens to be in Tromsø next Saturday (the 28th), you are most welcome to stop by! It’s free of charge, and should last about an hour. For the rest of you – I’ll be needing some opinions concerning my stage outfit, so I’ll make a post of my alternatives soon. Perhaps you could be wonderful (as always) and help me decide?
I was, for once, faced with a completely free Friday evening, and decided it was time to give my recently bought nail supplies a go. After having browsed through the search results for “nail art tutorials” on youtube, I settled for this lacy, pretty one. I haven’t tried nail art ever before, but I though I might have an advantage as I have a steady hand and is not unfamiliar with drawing and such. Let me just say that I have now realized why it’s called nail art, and will shut my overly large mouth. Instead, why not pass on the few things I learnt today?
♥ Watching a movie while the polish dries is a clever thing. Letting the movie run while you’re trying to paint – not so clever. Especially if the movie is such an amazing thing as Romeo + Juliet.
♥ The polish can never be too dry between layers. As you can see, my red kept bleeding into the white because I was too impatient.
♥ Doing the right hand is a real challenge if you’re right handed. Though it’s slightly easier if you rest both hands on a table.
♥ Brushes with short bristles are not so good for creating straight lines. Longer bristles are no good for details, such as half circles.
♥ Remember to use the bathroom before you start applying the polish. I know, one should think I was five years old or something, but I’ve learnt my lesson now.
♥ Keep a q-tip with nail polish remover nearby, so you won’t have to stare annoyed at your mess while the polish dries.
♥ If you’re displeased with your result, wait for an hour and look at it again, from a normal distance. It might not be so bad as you first thought – mine, for instance, looks rubbish if you look really close, but looks kind of cool if viewed from some distance.
UPDATE: If you wake the next morning to wonder what on earth you were thinking last night, just remove the whole thing and try to forget that evidence of your horrid crime is posted on your blog. Just look at it! It certainly doesn’t look like lace. More like melted ice cream or something. Oh, well, I’ll give it a second go next time I have some hours to spare.
These past few weeks have involved more shopping for me than usual, as I’ve been shopping for the perfect dress for Christmas parties and for wearing on stage. As I’ve found quite a lot of useful tips along the way, it would be really bad of me not to share them with my wonderful readers, so here we go:
Before You Leave Your House
♮Be Your Best. Shower, shave your legs and such, put on makeup and take the time to make your hair look good. If you don’t look good, you’ll never find a dress that makes you feel good either. Just stay clear of complicated updos and lots of lipstick, as these will be annoying in the dressing room.
♮ Dress Cleverly. If you’re shopping for a dress, wear a dress. Also, avoid long necklaces, hair accessories or buttoned cardigans, as you will spend more time taking them on and off than you will trying on new things.
♮Know Where Your Heart Is. Look at some of your favourite dresses, and try to work out why you always feel good in them. Consider the shape, colour, material and general style. I, for instance, know I usually prefer dresses that fit snugly around my waist, are made in a soft fabric and have feminine details.
♮Understand Your Canvas. Because as I have an hourglass figure, I’ll never look my best in a waistless shift dress. There is a great guide concerning body shape and clothing here, if you have trouble working it out on your own. I’m not saying you need to stick to a strict set of rules, but it will definitely be helpful to be aware of your shape when you’re out there among thousands of potential dresses.
♮Be Prepared. Pick a rather large handbag – preferably a cross body bag so your hands will be free. Now add your wallet, a water bottle, a hair tie if your hair is long, a lip balm of some sorts, a pair of heels and a belt, preferably one that’s elastic and of medium width.
On the Battlefield
♮Go It Alone. Recreational shopping is wonderful to do with a friend, but not if you’re looking for something very specific and have to keep your head in the game. The only exception is if you have a friend who understands your style really well, and has accepted to spend the day helping you with find a dress and is willing to put her own shopping needs aside for another day (when you will return the favour, naturally).
♮Timing Is Everything. If at all possible, do your shopping during the morning/early day, and not in the weekends. Your stress levels will thank you.
♮Be Open-Minded. This is the most important thing I’ve learnt these past weeks. I’ve tried on dresses that made me look like a pudding, but I’ve also found two wonderful dresses I probably would have missed a few months ago. Grab everything your gut seems to like, and use your critical head later, when you’re actually wearing the thing.
♮Bring Two Sizes Of Each Dress. Having picked the wrong size is really annoying if you’re shopping alone, as you need to get completely dressed and leave the dressing room to find a different one (and then probably face a line to get back into a dressing room).
♮Remember Your Little Helpers. The belt you brought can give you a waist in the most shapeless of dresses. The heels will show you how the dress can look “in real life”, and the hair tie can help you imagine the dress paired with a fabulous updo. Oh, and the water bottle is not only good for fighting dehydration, it is also a lifesaver when your hair gets static from pulling all those dresses over your head. Just put a few drops of water in your hands, and pat over your hair.
♮Avoid Taking Hostages. Dresses that look good, but “only” need to be hemmed/dyed/taken in/taken out/dry-cleaned… Don’t. Unless you’ve got a regular routine of seeing a seamstress or possess amazing DIY-skills, this dress will never be your perfect one.
♮It Ain’t Over ‘Till It’s Over. Unless you’ve tried every single dress in every single shop, have searched all the online stores and vintage boutiques (which is rather impossible), your perfect dress is still waiting for you somewhere out there. But you won’t find it if you stop looking, darling.
♮ Don’t Let Go. If you find a wonderful dress, but they’re out of your size or the colour is wrong for you, don’t lose hope! Ask a shop assistant to call the same store in other cities, trying to locate your size. Or ask if they have the dress in other colours, or something of a similar style to the one you like. Some shop assistants might seem like the devil’s minions, but they still have to do their job if asked directly. Brace yourself and think of the dress you love – it might be waiting in a mall a few miles away.
Do you have any tips of your own, darlings?
PS: Haha, I have no idea why it says “boots” on the image of the belt – something weird must have happened with my snapshot. And I know that wishlist-posts are a little cheesy, but it’s too much fun to resist. Besides, it might help some of my stressed out family members with the christmas shopping, which is never a bad thing ♥
